Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Lifeguard (11/09/06)
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TITLE: The Busy Lifeguard | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Sanders
11/15/06 -
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What a beautiful day to go to the beach! The children had been looking forward to going for over a week now. We finally had the car packed and we were off on our way. You could feel the excitement bubbling in everyone’s voice. It was a much needed break for me. I had been working long hours and the stress level was at the breaking point. There is always pressure from seemingly every side. I could not wait to get stretched out on that wonderful sand, so warm and inviting. There was a breezing blowing. It was perfect weather for a nap, while the kids were playing. As we pulled in to the parking slot, the doors all flung open and everyone began to unload and run toward the beach. Oh course I called for everyone to halt, for their last minute instructions. Stay close to the beach, watch out for each other and all times, and last but not least stay in sight of the lifeguard. Everyone agreed quickly and ran for the water.
As I began to settle in, I looked up at the lifeguard’s chair. It was then that I began to be a little concerned. This strong, tanned young man, was not watching anyone, he was sound asleep. Well you know the mother instinct, I walked right over and said, “Young man, you are suppose to be watching out for everyone, and you are sleeping instead.” He then replied, “Oh, I am watching, I was just resting my eyes for a second.” So, I began to stretch out my blanket to begin my relaxing, I took one more glance up at the chair, and he was awake. I felt a little reassured, but still a little uneasy. I surveyed the water, counted heads and saw that all my company was safe. It was then that I pulled out my book and began to read. I read for probably about thirty minutes and decided I would check out the lifeguard to make sure that he was watching everyone. I could not believe my eyes, this time he had even covered his eyes with his hat. I became furious, but before I could say a thing, a volley ball hit him right on top of the head. He jumped straight up and saw that behind the volley ball was a very beautiful blonde very scantly clad. Oh course, he had to return the ball. He decided he might better join in the game. I was totally blown away. This man had left his job, his paying job, to go and play with some girl, while my children and their friends were playing in the ocean. How dare he take such a chance when the safety of my children was at stake?
It was just about then I heard a scream coming from my youngest child. He said, “Mommy, Tommy is gone. I can’t find him anywhere.” I screamed for the lifeguard, who did come running. He dove into the water. He searched for what seemed like an eternity and finally, I saw him come up with Tommy’s limp body. How was I going to explain this to his Mother? I was in charge. He was in my care. The panic grew, as the tears fell. We all watched the lifeguard go into action. We all hoped his training would be enough to rescue little Tommy. He worked on him for minutes, with no response. Soon, the ambulance arrived. I could not believe it, they were loading little Tommy in, and the paramedics were all shaking their heads. I knew what that meant. There was no more they could do. He was lost.
As I reflected, I knew that I could not blame the lifeguard anymore than I could myself. Although it was the lifeguard’s job, I had been distracted also. Spiritually, we are all to be lifeguards. But how many of us are too distracted to see those who are drowning everyday in the sea of this life. Sometimes, they go under three times, right before our eyes, and we still do not see them. Sometimes, they are crying out and we do not hear them. We are too busy being distracted with the things of this world. Please take your job as a spiritual lifeguard seriously.
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